Nearly 100 years apart, but unmistakably Merrythought
There is something rather magical about placing an old teddy bear beside his modern-day relative, particularly when almost a century of British teddy bear making separates them.
Here at Asquiths, we recently had the wonderful opportunity to do exactly that, bringing together a beautiful original early Merrythought bear from around 1930/31 and the new Merrythought Bear Heritage Collection Special Edition, recreated from one of Florence Attwood's original designs.
Sitting side by side, the family resemblance is wonderful to see. But our old gentleman has another story to tell, because some very special little details help us understand just how early in Merrythought's history he was made.
How do we know our old Merrythought dates from around 1930/31?
When dating an antique teddy bear, it is often the smallest details that provide the biggest clues.
Our bear retains two particularly important early Merrythought features: his original 'Merrythought Hygienic Toys – Made in England' foot label and the wonderful celluloid Merrythought trademark button in his left ear.
Alongside these are several characteristics associated with early Merrythought bears, including his beautiful golden mohair, glass eyes, original felt paw pads, webbed claw stitching, vertically stitched nose and those distinctive early Merrythought proportions.
Taken together, these details help place him at the very beginning of the Merrythought story, around 1930 or 1931.
And he has survived those intervening years remarkably well.
He retains approximately 95% of his wonderful golden mohair, together with his original paw pads, although there is one small hole to his right foot pad. He originally had a squeezer, which is now inoperable, and over the years an irresistible temptation to give his tummy a squeeze has resulted in a little localised mohair loss.
A soft badge now sits over this area to protect him from any more enthusiastic squeezing!
After nearly a century, we think he has earned a little rest.
The beginning of Merrythought
Merrythought began making soft toys in Ironbridge, Shropshire, in 1930, with its first collection appearing at the beginning of the 1930s.
At the heart of those earliest designs was a remarkably talented woman named Florence 'Florrie' Attwood.
Florence had lost her hearing following childhood measles and was unable to speak. She attended the Royal School for the Deaf in Manchester, where her talent for design and dressmaking developed.
After working for British toy manufacturer Chad Valley, Florence joined the newly established Merrythought and became responsible for many of its earliest soft toy patterns.
Her drawings and ideas filled Merrythought's early pattern books, and amongst her creations were the original Merrythought and Magnet teddy bears.
Almost a century later, her influence can still be seen in the bears being handmade in Ironbridge today.
And then along came his modern-day relative…
Sitting beside our old gentleman is the modern Merrythought Bear, part of the company's Heritage Collection.
This special bear has been recreated from Florence Attwood's historic 1931 design, which appeared in Merrythought's inaugural catalogue and was originally produced in distinctive 'Old Gold' mohair.
Today's bear is still handmade in England, using beautiful wavy golden mohair, with chestnut-coloured pure wool felt paw pads and hand-stitched claw detailing.
He wears a traditional scarlet satin bow, positioned characteristically off-centre, and even has a traditional working growler.
One of our favourite details, however, is his replica early Merrythought 'Hygienic Toys' foot label.
Place the two bears beside one another and suddenly that little label becomes much more than a charming heritage detail. You can see the original and the recreation together, separated by nearly 100 years.
Nearly a century of teddy bear making
Of course, the two bears aren't identical, nor would we want them to be.
Our antique bear carries almost a century of life in his mohair, his pads and those wonderfully characterful signs of age. We can only imagine the people who have cuddled him, squeezed his now-silent squeaker and treasured him over the decades.
The new Merrythought Bear begins his story today, but behind him sits an extraordinary heritage of British design and craftsmanship.
That is what makes seeing these two together so special.
One represents the very earliest years of Merrythought; the other celebrates and preserves those early designs for today's collectors.
Nearly 100 years apart, but unmistakably Merrythought.
And as they sit together here at Asquiths, we can't help wondering what our wonderful old gentleman makes of his rather handsome younger relative.
We think he approves. 🧸❤️
Discover Merrythought at Asquiths
Asquiths is proud to celebrate the history and craftsmanship of traditional teddy bear making, from fascinating antique bears with stories stretching back generations to beautiful bears still being handmade in Britain today.
You can discover our collection of Merrythought teddy bears, including the Heritage Collection, online at Asquiths or come and meet the bears in person at our teddy bear shop in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.